[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Hey Sean,

Thanks for your answers! Its great to explore and break down whats needed, in order to provide possible approaches:)

1. What IF, going from the bottom to the top of layers stack:
~ SHAPE layer – last.
~ MAIN text layer – non editable by the user – index-1 from shape.
~ USER-TEXT-LAYERS all other text layers, existing or ‘to be duplicated later’ – above of those two ^^.

Now, I assume that each text layer duplicated by the user, will stand as a separate line. Is this correct?

Then, in order to not necessarily deal with ‘re-positioning’ the texts.. What if you add all those texts from ‘USER-TEXT-LAYERS’ by expression, into text source of MAIN layer? Meaning, it would scan for layers, and then as much of them are found – add them into next line inside ‘MAIN’? And thus, SHAPE would readjust, and design stay in terms of lines spacing, as set in MAIN!

2. About comp setup – I mean are there any additional design items/layers in the comp apart from setup layers described in 1st point in this message.

Now you probably wonder – ok Tomas, but whats about user UX using such approach? They will duplicate a text layer, and what to do with it then? Well, I would suggest using those text layers as guide-layers only, which will give a glance of texts used, but will work as references only. SO, the duplicated layers will stand as references only.

This suggestion is valid ONLY if single-style design text is OK. If custom/per line style customisation is needed, this approach is not OK ☺

3. ++

Based on above, we can shift this discussion one way or another !

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[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Sean, thanks for your response, if thats the case – now I have a better understanding whats needed here!

There questions here are:
1. Where(in layers stack) new text layers added?
2. What is the overall structure of comp setup?
3. How many new texts might be added, and in what cases they can be removed, thus, to be subtracted from equation?

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[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Hey Sean, below is execution in a template, which allows controlling text boxes, based on chars per line.

https://youtu.be/G-iy15R9H7s

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[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Hey Mahmoud, what you need to do:

1. Alt+click on a stopwatch for x value;
2. Firstly drag pick whip to x’s value;
3. Then add ‘+’ or ‘-‘ (depending whether you want to invert position or keep it the same) and pick whip to Y.
4. Change X position to the original placement you want it to be at.

Now, by changing ‘y’ you will be directly affecting ‘x’. If you want it to be less/more affective, multiply or divide result of ‘x’ position by a number and you are good to go !

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[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Hey Damian, old thread, maybe you sorted out it already.

Few clarifications:
1. When the layer and nulls’ X are equal – basically, this does mean only the fact, that animation start point should happen after this condition is met? Because – equal condition itself will be only for a glimpse of a second.
2. Z layer position size – you said its based on a given slider value. Will it be a single value?
3. How many layers you planned to have in a comp? What their role in the scene? Are they just sitting there and waiting for value to move?

Cheers!

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[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Hey Maria, custom controllers in build-in effects are non-scriptable. This is unlikely to be possible in 3rd party plugins either – but you could inspect object model for selected effect and see if it contains the data you need.

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[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

There is a good saying – you always need to have plan B. Ideally, C and D behind.

It is a good time to reflect on owns capabilities in different fields. Especially, even if you are not affected by this lockdown directly and have plenty of work, maybe even more than usually due to profession specifics – keep in mind that at some day, your niche could be the one which gets terminal freeze. The odds differs, but chances are there.

With that said – stay positive, yet at the same time don’t snooze on your main craft for granted !

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[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Hey Finn, Evan’s response above is spot on. In case you want to learn more about this with reasons behind, you can check my tutorial here:
https://youtu.be/XPWvy2kff8A

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[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Hey Simon, the question might sound strange, but – how random points will/should be defined? As completely random might not make sense with any clip?

Also, is the backward speed preferred to be normal?

This all potentially could be made with Time Remapping, but there are some unknown variables to even begin this.

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[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Hey Lucas, the question here also relies on actual positioning of your text layer.

Think about this – if you change alignment of a text to right, how and where it must be placed in your design / composition?

Ideally, you should better define two text layers – one for left alignment languages, other – right. And then switch their opacity based on font selection choice.

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